Easy-listening music à la française might be considered a cure for insomnia, but Borel enlivens the mix with her Gallic wit. Featuring acoustic guitar, violin and flute, this release on the Taiwan-based label Hinote Records, just might win over fans in China. And why not? All things French appear to be quite trendy in the PRC these days. Schmaltz included. Indeed, Borel's "Oserai-je t'aimer?" ("Will I dare to love you?") surpasses Hélène's schmaltzy "Je m'appelle Hélène" in the cornball department. But for those of you with no grasp in the language of Molière, Borel's wordy romanticism matters not. A pity, because a close listen reveals more than wistful goo – at times, her lyrics equal those of the late, great Serge Gainsbourg. Indeed, Borel's collaborator, composer Jérémie Lefebvre, who also provides backing vocals on a few tracks sounds remarkably like Gainsbourg. And Borel herself displays the same caustic sense of humor on a number of cuts. Note: this CD contains one English-language track, a sensual cover of Madonna's "Get into the Groove" sung with heavy French accent. Mon Dieu!
Hinote Records

French version/version française
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Chief editor: Steven Crane
December 2005 issue



Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
December 2005 issue